title: Associations of ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism, ACE activity, and ACE mRNA expression with hypertension in a Chinese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was designed to explore the association of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D, rs4646994) polymorphism, plasma ACE activity, and circulating ACE mRNA expression with essential hypertension (EH) in a Chinese population. In addition, a new detection method for circulating ACE mRNA expression was explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research was approved by the ethics committee of Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Written informed consent was obtained prior to the investigation. 221 hypertensives (cases) and 221 normotensives (controls) were interviewed, subjected to a physical examination, and provided blood for biochemical and genetic tests. The ACE mRNA expression was analyzed by real time fluorescent quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (FQ-RT-PCR). We performed logistic regression to assess associations of ACE I/D genotypes, ACE activity, and ACE mRNA expression levels with hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the additive model (ID, DD versus II) of the ACE genotype revealed an association with hypertension with adjusted OR of 1.43(95% CI: 1.04-1.97), and ACE ID genotype with adjusted OR of 1.72(95% CI: 1.01-2.92), DD genotype with adjusted OR of 1.94(95% CI: 1.01-3.73), respectively. In addition, our data also indicate that plasma ACE activity (adjusted OR was 1.13(95% CI: 1.08-1.18)) was significantly related to hypertension. However, the plasma ACE mRNA expressions were not different between the cases and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ACE I/D polymorphism and ACE activity revealed significant influence on hypertension, while circulating ACE mRNA expression was not important factors associated with hypertension in this Chinese population. The detection of circulating ACE mRNA expression by FQ-RT-PCR might be a useful method for early screening and monitoring of EH.
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qingfang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Chunhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wallar
authors.forename: Zuo-Feng
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xinwei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ruying
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D054643:INDEL Mutation; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A